Ok, I’d better come clean. I’ve been somewhat disingenuous when I said the inspiration for our trip to Sweden is a desire to see more of the Scandinavia we glimpsed on our visit to Copenhagen last year, coupled with a hankering to follow the Scandi detectives. I couldn’t say anything before the recent announcement, but now it’s public knowledge that Roy Hodgson is to be the new England football manager, I can finally admit that our fly-drive is a homage to the man himself.
I’m surprised you didn’t realise when I mentioned our itinerary (Mum’s definitely going to Sweden). Surely it was obvious we had picked our route to visit the towns where Roy had been football manager? Did you think, when I told you we will be travelling West from Stockholm, that our plan is to see the beauty of Lake Malaren? Ah, my apologies, we are, in fact, travelling to Orebro where Roy took the reins between 1983-84. I think I also teased you with the idea that we wanted to see the canal at Trollhattan when, in truth, we are heading for the town of Uddevalla where Roy was head honcho for the Oddevold team in 1982.
You were taken in by my assertion that I needed some time to chill on the beach near Angelholm. Of course not: we couldn’t come this far and not see where Roy began his managerial career, from 1976-80, in Halmstad where he took the team from near relegation to league champions. And I’m sure I put you off the scent when I explained we were flying back from Malmo when in fact it was the ideal way to soak up the atmosphere of his splendid term in office there from 1985-89. I’m hoping we can stand at the Oresund Bridge and look across the waters to Copenhagen, reminiscing about our little jaunt there last year to see the location of Roy’s 2000-01 victories.
As a family we do think we should continue in this vein, using revered football managers to help plan our holidays. Rory, a keen Newcastle United supporter, has suggested we try the Bobby Robson Tour, taking in Porto, Barcelona and Eindhoven: we could even fit in a trip to see my mother at the same time. I’m rather partial to the Jose Mourinho Expedition, aka ‘The Special One’, where the delights of Italy, Spain and Portugal can become part of a new version of The Grand Tour.
Although it’s rather sad that Harry Redknapp didn’t get the England job, I have to admit I’m rather relieved because, truth be told, spending the summer months trudging up and down the M3 corridor wasn’t my idea of a fun holiday.
You lost me at "football". Awful, awful game!
Thanks for making the first comment on this post such a cheery one,Steve, you old curmudgeon!
I am impressed with this trainspotting-wikipeadia-footie crossover post.
I trust you will also follow up with Mum's gone to the UK, which may not sound too exciting, visiting Fulham and Birmingham. And obviously the itinerary should include a flying visit to Liverpool.
Ah, damn it, someone's noticed I've been cherry picking. I think I shall insist we visit Switzwerland and Finland before we return to the UK and continue our pilgrimage.
Ps: I have Liverpool on my list anyway, have always wanted to go there. Now I have another reason!
When you do the Bobby Robson tour I hope we'll meet up for a coffee in Ipswich.
You certainly fooled us with the Hodgson tour Perhaps subtle clues like – Lake Malawen, Owebwo, Twollhattan, Owesund Bwidge – would have helped?
I shall be in touch re Ipswich. Maybe, if I set up a travel company to offer such tours, I can use your local knowledge?
Didn't want to make it easy for you 😉
I've seen that they've just unveiled a Bobby Robson statue in Newcastle. So now there is a statue that looks like him (Ipswich) and one that doesn't look like him (Newcastle).
Have just had a look. I see what you mean – looks nothing like him! Ipswich one has got him right, as you say.
Obviously been gone too long – I have no idea what tou're talking about. Holiday sounds good though!
Toni, you disappoint me! I had a ticket reserved for you on the Bobby Robson tour.
Heard of him 😉
I like this idea of following a football manager's career, however I've looked at our finances and the only manager we can realistic pay travel homage to is Dario Gradi and head to erm… Crewe!
He's always good for a staycation?
As you are going to Sweden, pop in to Degerfors near Orebro thence to Gothenburg so you can also start the Sven Goran Eriksson tour. After that, it's a rather pleasant tour – Lisbon, Rome, Florence, back to Lisbon, then Genoa, Rome again, then home. Manchester, Mexico and the Ivory Coast before heading off to Leicester. Sounds pretty cool to me!
Kate, you're a genius! I think that's a splendid tour – just my cup of tea. I think I need you as part of the team if I'm going to get this new travel company off the ground. You're hired!
Love Kate's idea for a tour… brilliant! Can't wait to hear all about the Sweden tour – just make sure you have lots of Semla for me OK???
Will do! Can't wait to go now. Counting down the weeks.
Hmmm… very clever idea. I could see this idea being a big hit with U.S. (American) football and basketball fans. You should market it!
I'm very impressed you stuck with this post: I imagined you would be reading it with a tab constantly open on Wikipedia!
I would have been much more impressed if you had said you wanted to go on a Europe tour!!
Just got their latest album "Bag of Bones" and bought tickets to go and see them in October, very excited. ;o)
I see the band are from Upplands Vasby – we are driving near there: will pop in for you!
Very kind of you! Any chance of bringing me back a T-Shirt? ;o)
Now you're pushing it… 😉
Given that the son and the Shah support Coventry City, this football manager tour is not on for us. We may as well just spend two weeks gazing down a toilet (any toilet) as that's where Cov are bound….
Not flushed with success then?
Awed by your Hodgson knowledge – The Sun should've had you on their books and kept 'emselves out of twouble – sorry – trouble….oops…
It's staggering, isn't it. You'd think I'd googled him or something…
Never entered my head!!!